Nye Veier, the highway construction and operation company wholly owned by the Norwegian government will start the construction of the new E39 Mandal-Blrstad this year as planned. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

The company is in the final phase of the work with the competition that will culminate in the selection of a contractor for the job of building the road further west from Mandalskrysset. 8.8 km of four-lane motorway and approx. three km of feeder road from Blrstadkrysset to the existing E39 in Tredal will be built. The project consists of two major bridges in addition to two tunnels and an intersection at Blrstad.

source: Parts of Nye Veier's following announcement used, translated from Norwegian. Map is also from the same announcement. https://www.nyeveier.no/nyheter/oppstart-av-ny-e39-som-planlagt/